View Your OCC Requirements
The following list outlines OCC requirements for AOA Board Certification issued by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP). NOTE: An OCC annual fee of $225 will be issued starting in 2022 for Component 3 Longitudinal Assessment. View FAQs about the Longitudinal Assessment.
Select the expiration date for your initial certification or recertification
You currently hold an 8-year certificate. All your OCC requirements must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024.
Component 1 (Active Licensure):
A candidate/diplomate must hold a valid, active license to practice medicine in a U.S. state, commonwealth, District of Columbia, U.S. territory or Canada. Those physicians holding only an active license (or registration) to practice medicine outside the U.S. may be considered for OCC on a case-by-case basis.
Component 2 (Lifelong Learning):
You are required to earn 120 hours of CME every three years. See the AOA CME Guide for details.
Component 3 (Assessment):
Your participation in Longitudinal Assessment must begin January 2024.
- You must complete a total of three quarters by Sept. 30, 2024.
- Q1: Jan. – March (10 questions)
- Q2: April – June (10 questions)
- Q3: July – September (10 questions)
- Q4: Oct. – Dec. (remediation period if necessary)
- Registration opens October 1, 2023
- No high-stakes cognitive exam is required
- Longitudinal Assessment FAQs
Component 4 (Practice Performance Assessment):
You are required to complete four modules before your expiration date. You may substitute one (1) QI attestation for one of the required modules during each cycle.
Below are the requirements based on diplomate’s expiration date:
| Certification Expiration Date | Component 4 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dec. 31, 2023 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
| Dec. 31, 2024 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
| Dec. 31, 2025 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
| Dec. 31, 2026 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
- ACOFP modules ($525 each)
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Hypertension
- Low Back Pain
- Diabetes
- NBOME modules ($525 each)
- Evaluation and Management of Patient with Diabetes and Obesity
- Medication Safety and Communication
- Evaluation and Management of Patient with Hypertension
- QI Attestation (no fee)
Note: Only one attestation is allowed
What is a Quality Improvement (QI) Activity?
Quality improvement (QI) consists of systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health care services and the status of targeted patient groups. QI activities can be completed within your institution or as part of a national initiative. OCC Component 4 requires that you engage in continuous quality improvement through the comparison of personal practice performance measured against national standards for your medical specialty.
- View Component 4 Attestation FAQs
- Helpful information about QI projects
- Sample quality improvement project
Non-clinical Diplomates
If you are currently working in a non-clinical environment, you can complete and submit the Non-Clinical Attestation Form and complete one of the online modules below to satisfy the Component 4 requirement:
- Health and Human Services Cultural Competency module
- OMED22 Culturally Competent Care Collection
- Communication Guide – Think Cultural Health
- Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals
- A Physician’s Practical Guide to Providing Culturally Competent Care
Once you have completed the online module, go to your Physician Portal and add it as a QI project under OCC Component 4.
Please use the following format when adding the quality improvement activity title:
- Non-Clinical Attestation – Health and Human Services Cultural Competency Module
- Non-Clinical Attestation – OMED22 Culturally Competent Care
If you have not registered for your required module/modules, please apply.
Requirements to Maintain Family Medicine Certification and OMT
Since your current Certification expires 2024, you are not required to fulfill the OCC requirement to maintain your OMT certificate and it will remain active through your current expiration date. Once you receive your new 9-year certificate, you will be required to satisfy the requirements to maintain the OMT Certification. To view your specific activities and verify you are on track to recertify, please log-in to your physician portal. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our office at [email protected].
You currently hold an 8-year certificate. All your OCC requirements must be completed by Dec. 31, 2025.
Component 1 (Active Licensure):
A candidate/diplomate must hold a valid, active license to practice medicine in a U.S. state, commonwealth, District of Columbia, U.S. territory or Canada. Those physicians holding only an active license (or registration) to practice medicine outside the U.S. may be considered for OCC on a case-by-case basis.
Component 2 (Lifelong Learning):
You are required to earn 120 hours of CME every three years. See the AOA CME Guide for details.
Component 3 (Assessment):
Your participation in Longitudinal Assessment must begin January 2025.
- You must complete a total of three quarters by Sept. 30, 2025.
- Q1: Jan. – March (10 questions)
- Q2: April – June (10 questions)
- Q3: July – Sept. (10 questions)
- Q4: Oct. – Dec. (remediation period if necessary)
- Registration opens October 1, 2024
- No high-stakes cognitive exam is required
- Longitudinal Assessment FAQs
Component 4 (Practice Performance Assessment):
You are required to complete four modules before your expiration date. You may substitute one (1) QI attestation for one of the required modules during each cycle.
Below are the requirements based on diplomate’s expiration date:
| Certification Expiration Date | Component 4 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dec. 31, 2023 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
| Dec. 31, 2024 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
| Dec. 31, 2025 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
| Dec. 31, 2026 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
- ACOFP modules ($525 each)
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Hypertension
- Low Back Pain
- Diabetes
- NBOME modules ($525 each)
- Evaluation and Management of Patient with Diabetes and Obesity
- Medication Safety and Communication
- Evaluation and Management of Patient with Hypertension
- QI Attestation (no fee)
Note: Only one attestation is allowed
What is a Quality Improvement (QI) Activity?
Quality improvement (QI) consists of systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health care services and the status of targeted patient groups. QI activities can be completed within your institution or as part of a national initiative. OCC Component 4 requires that you engage in continuous quality improvement through the comparison of personal practice performance measured against national standards for your medical specialty.
- View Component 4 Attestation FAQs
- Helpful information about QI projects
- Sample quality improvement project
Non-clinical Diplomates
If you are currently working in a non-clinical environment, you can complete and submit the Non-Clinical Attestation Form and complete one of the online modules below to satisfy the Component 4 requirement:
- Health and Human Services Cultural Competency module
- OMED22 Culturally Competent Care Collection
- Communication Guide – Think Cultural Health
- Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals
- A Physician’s Practical Guide to Providing Culturally Competent Care
Once you have completed the online module, go to your Physician Portal and add it as a QI project under OCC Component 4.
Please use the following format when adding the quality improvement activity title:
- Non-Clinical Attestation – Health and Human Services Cultural Competency Module
- Non-Clinical Attestation – OMED22 Culturally Competent Care
If you have not registered for your required module/modules, please apply.
Requirements to Maintain Family Medicine Certification and OMT
Since your current Certification expires 2025, you are not required to fulfill the OCC requirement to maintain your OMT certificate and it will remain active through your current expiration date. Once you receive your new 9-year certificate, you will be required to satisfy the requirements to maintain the OMT Certification. To view your specific activities and verify you are on track to recertify, please log-in to your physician portal. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our office at [email protected].
You currently hold an 8-year certificate. All your OCC requirements must be completed by Dec. 31, 2026.
Component 1 (Active Licensure):
A candidate/diplomate must hold a valid, active license to practice medicine in a U.S. state, commonwealth, District of Columbia, U.S. territory or Canada. Those physicians holding only an active license (or registration) to practice medicine outside the U.S. may be considered for OCC on a case-by-case basis.
Component 2 (Lifelong Learning):
You are required to earn 120 hours of CME every three years. See the AOA CME Guide for details.
Component 3 (Assessment):
- You must complete a total of three quarters by Sept. 30, 2026.
- Q1: Jan. – March (10 questions)
- Q2: April – June (10 questions)
- Q3: July – Sept. (10 questions)
- Q4: Oct. – Dec. (remediation period if necessary)
- Registration opens October 1, 2025
- No high-stakes cognitive exam is required.
- Your participation in Longitudinal Assessment must begin Jan. 2026.
- View Longitudinal Assessment FAQs.
Component 4 (Practice Performance Assessment):
You are required to complete four modules before your expiration date. You may substitute one (1) QI attestation for one of the required modules during each cycle.
Below are the requirements based on diplomate’s expiration date:
| Certification Expiration Date | Component 4 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dec. 31, 2023 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
| Dec. 31, 2024 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
| Dec. 31, 2025 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
| Dec. 31, 2026 | Complete four modules. One (1) QI attestation completed in the past three years can count towards the four required. |
- ACOFP modules ($525 each)
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Hypertension
- Low Back Pain
- Diabetes
- NBOME modules ($525 each)
- Evaluation and Management of Patient with Diabetes and Obesity
- Medication Safety and Communication
- Evaluation and Management of Patient with Hypertension
- QI Attestation (no fee)
Note: Only one attestation is allowed
What is a Quality Improvement (QI) Activity?
Quality improvement (QI) consists of systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health care services and the status of targeted patient groups. QI activities can be completed within your institution or as part of a national initiative. OCC Component 4 requires that you engage in continuous quality improvement through the comparison of personal practice performance measured against national standards for your medical specialty.
- View Component 4 Attestation FAQs
- Helpful information about QI projects
- Sample quality improvement project
Non-clinical Diplomates
If you are currently working in a non-clinical environment, you can complete and submit the Non-Clinical Attestation Form and complete one of the online modules below to satisfy the Component 4 requirement:
Once you have completed the online module, go to your Physician Portal and add it as a QI project under OCC Component 4.
Please use the following format when adding the quality improvement activity title:
- Non-Clinical Attestation – Health and Human Services Cultural Competency Module
- Non-Clinical Attestation – OMED22 Culturally Competent Care
If you have not registered for your required module/modules, please apply.
Requirements to Maintain Family Medicine Certification and OMT
Since your current Certification expires 2026, you are not required to fulfill the OCC requirement to maintain your OMT certificate and it will remain active through your current expiration date. Once you receive your new 9-year certificate, you will be required to satisfy the requirements to maintain the OMT Certification. To view your specific activities and verify you are on track to recertify, please log-in to your physician portal. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our office at [email protected].
You currently hold a 9-year certificate. You are required to meet the following criteria for Osteopathic Continuous Certification.
Component 1 (Active Licensure):
A candidate/diplomate must hold a valid, active license to practice medicine in a U.S. state, commonwealth, District of Columbia, U.S. territory or Canada. Those physicians holding only an active license (or registration) to practice medicine outside the U.S. may be considered for OCC on a case-by-case basis.
Component 2 (Lifelong Learning):
You are required to earn 120 hours of CME every three years. See the AOA CME Guide for details.
Component 3 (Assessment):
Active participation in Longitudinal Assessment (LA) is an annual requirement.
| Longitudinal Assessment Registration and Participation Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| EXPIRATION DATE | REGISTER FOR LA | BEGIN LA |
| 2027 | 2022 | 2022 |
| 2028 | 2022 | 2022 |
| 2029 | 2022 | 2022 |
| 2030 | 2022 | 2023 |
| 2031 | 2023 | 2024 |
| 2032 | 2024 | 2025 |
| 2033 | 2025 | 2026 |
| 2034 | 2026 | 2027 |
| 2035 | 2027 | 2028 |
- You must complete a total of three quarters annually by Sept. 30.
- Q1: Jan. – March (10 questions)
- Q2: April – June (10 questions)
- Q3: July – Sept. (10 questions)
- Q4: Oct. – Nov. (remediation period if necessary)
- Registration opens Oct. 1
- No high-stakes cognitive exam is required
- Longitudinal Assessment FAQs
Component 4 (Practice Performance Assessment and Improvement):
You are required to complete one Quality Improvement Activity every three years. There is no additional fee.
| QI Schedule (based on three-year cycles) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPIRATION | FIRST CYCLE | SECOND CYCLE | THIRD CYCLE |
| 2027 | 2019-2021 | 2022-2024 | 2025-2027 |
| 2028 | 2020-2022 | 2023-2025 | 2026-2028 |
| 2029 | 2021-2023 | 2024-2026 | 2027-2029 |
| 2030 | 2022-2024 | 2025-2027 | 2028-2030 |
| 2031 | 2023-2025 | 2026-2028 | 2029-2031 |
| 2032 | 2024-2026 | 2027-2029 | 2030-2032 |
| 2033 | 2025-2027 | 2028-2030 | 2031-2033 |
| 2034 | 2026-2028 | 2029-2031 | 2032-2034 |
| 2035 | 2027-2029 | 2030-2032 | 2033-2035 |
| 2036 | 2028-2030 | 2031-2033 | 2034-2036 |
Quality Improvement (QI) Attestation
Diplomates who wish to submit an attestation of completing QI activities as part of their practice may do so via the AOA Physician Portal. FAQs about attestation criteria are also available in the portal.
Note: When submitting an attestation, include the name of a supervisor who can confirm that the QI project is in process.
What is a Quality Improvement (QI) Activity?
Quality improvement (QI) consists of systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health care services and the status of targeted patient groups. QI activities can be completed within your institution or as part of a national initiative. OCC Component 4 requires that you engage in continuous quality improvement through the comparison of personal practice performance measured against national standards for your medical specialty.
- View Component 4 Attestation FAQs
- Helpful information about QI projects
- Sample quality improvement project
Non-clinical Diplomates
If you are currently working in a non-clinical environment, you can complete and submit the Non-Clinical Attestation Form and complete one of the online modules below to satisfy the Component 4 requirement:
- Health and Human Services Cultural Competency module
- OMED22 Culturally Competent Care Collection
- Communication Guide – Think Cultural Health
- Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals
- A Physician’s Practical Guide to Providing Culturally Competent Care
Once you have completed the online module, go to your Physician Portal and add it as a QI project under OCC Component 4.
Please use the following format when adding the quality improvement activity title:
- Non-Clinical Attestation – Health and Human Services Cultural Competency Module
- Non-Clinical Attestation – OMED22 Culturally Competent Care
If you have not registered for your required module/modules, please apply.
Requirements to Maintain Certification in OMT
There are two pathways available to AOBFP diplomates who hold an active FP/OMT board certification to fulfill the OCC Component 3 requirement to maintain their Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) certification.
Diplomates can opt to:
- Successfully pass one (1) performance examination every nine (9) years, and complete and pass one (1) OMT longitudinal assessment module every three (3) years.
OR
- Complete eight (8) hours of AOBFP-approved OMT hands-on training every nine (9) years, and complete and pass one (1) OMT longitudinal assessment module every three (3) years.
View AOBFP-Approved, Hands-On OMT Training Courses
- Diplomates will be assessed an OCC annual fee of $225. Fees associated with the performance exam or OMT hands-on training are not included in the OCC annual fee.
- Category 1A CME credits can be earned with either pathway choice.
- The OMT longitudinal assessment module can be done in place of one of the other assessment modules as part of OCC Component 3 requirements. It is not an additional module to be done.
- The Registration fee for OMT performance exam is $400.
Note: The Performance Exam must be taken in the last three years of certification.